‘£60m for him’: Arsenal & Aston Villa told forward they could sign a ‘project’ player

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Gab Marcotti says Arsenal and Aston Villa transfer target Joao Felix is ‘still a project’ player despite his struggles for Atletico Madrid.

The European football expert added that if he is in the Atletico boardroom, then he would ‘bite your hand off’ if interested parties put ‘£60 million’ on the table for the versatile forward.

Once upon a time, those in Madrid were paying a whopping £113 million for the then-Benfica teenager (BBC Sport), who just hasn’t lived up to the price-tag, but it’s not all his own doing.

A player more suited to a Pep Guardiola system, it was just chalk and cheese between Felix’s style of play and what the defensive-minded and highly-demanding Diego Simeone asks from his players.

Either way, three years after signing for Atletico, the 23-year-old is heading for the exit door and Marcotti thinks whoever signs him will get a top player, as he told ESPN.

“I think Joao Felix is still a project, he isn’t the finished article,” said Marcotti. “There is a player in there. You need to find the right club that’s willing to work for him and turn him into it.

“If I am Atletico and I get £60 million for him, then I am biting your hand off and I am very, very happy. This dude has been stop-start.

“At no stage has he carried Atletico Madrid for more than a month. He has had periods where he was really good for Atletico Madrid. But then something happened and whatever. He’s not 19, anymore. There is a player in there, no question about it.”

PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST IN FELIX

Gabriel Jesus picked up a long-term injury whilst on World Cup duty with Brazil and now Mikel Arteta’s side need a player to fill his absence.

A player of Felix’s talents would be perfect for them because of his ability to drop deep, connect play and carry the ball in tight situations.

But whilst Arsenal are understandably in the race to sign the Portugal international, a surprise name that has emerged is that of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

There were even some suggesting that the Midlands giants were leading the race for him, either way, it would be a shock and an unbelievable coup if Felix landed on Villa’s doorstep next month.